It does happen, and it is important to handle the situation properly as to not make a bad situation worse and possibly even avoid a problem all together.

I got caught in an abandoned school on Monday. It was in the middle of being demolished but I still entered the construction site and snuck into the school. I kept my eye on the bulldozer driving around outside as we walked around. There were so many holes in the walls that landscapers outside must have seen us inside taking pictures. Not too long after a police officer was standing nearby yelling in at us to come outside.

Best not to run, unless you are 100% positive you will get away. In this case, we were pretty beat no matter what so I approached the officer calmly and waved to him. I told him we were simply taking pictures. He yelled at us, said we were crazy, its so dangerous blah blah blah. He was ready to charge us with defiant trespassing and all these things, but another cop pointed out that there wasn't a single no trespassing sign on the property so they didn't have a case against us. We got off without even a ticket. If I was a dick to the cop or tried to escape, I'm sure things would've turned out differently.

But police are really the least of my worry while exploring. I worry most about wild animals and hostile homeless people. Here are a few videos of mine where I encountered people while exploring.

Let's start with a crackhead in philly. He is smoking his crackpipe at 2:23, look at the monstrous amount of smoke he blows out, crackpipe in hand. This was pure luck, the fact that we run into the friendliest crackhead in the world, but there were others down there too, and the situation could've easily turned dangerous.

Again I got lucky with this guy. He had been squatting in this house for a few months and I finally got the opportunity to invade his privacy for an interview.

Don't want to overload you with videos, but also at an abandoned amusement park we scared away some scrappers who were there stealing a few items. As soon as they saw us they packed up the trucks and left in a hurry.

Also while in the abandoned AC electric control center a truck came flying down the loading dock ramp and someone violently tried shaking open the door. We happened to be standing on the other side of the door at the time, frozen in fear by the loud banging sound. Luckily he didn't get it open and we had time to leave without running into them.

At a abandoned luxury hotel resort there was a guy outside cutting up pieces of metal and loading them into his truck. We checked out one of the buildings without being seen, though he prevented us from checking out a very cool indoor pool! Bastard!

And I just posted this video a few hours ago. Had a shady encounter towards the end of the video.

Anyway.... what are your stories? Who have you run into while exploring? What are your strategies for dealing with these situations?

Squatters / crackheads pose a serious threat to others as most of the time they pass out with burning-hot crackpipes which cause massive fires.

I live in Worcester, MA where a similar incident happened back in '99. I happened to be driving home and saw the building on fire, a enormous blazing inferno that could be seen for miles around. I could feel the heat and saw burning embers at least a half-mile away while approaching it.

This particular fire was reportedly from a knocked over candle, ended up killing 6 Worcester Firefighters.

I've always wanted to do this but I'm a bit afraid of getting some sort of hazardous material on me and causing myself or people I come into contact with health problems due to that. I'm aware that many of these abandoned buildings can be full of asbestos or other such things.

I've always wanted to do this but I'm a bit afraid of getting some sort of hazardous material on me and causing myself or people I come into contact with health problems due to that. I'm aware that many of these abandoned buildings can be full of asbestos or other such things.

I wouldnt worry too much about asbestos, the kind of health problems you encounter with it are generally after long term contact.
Tho there are other problems, poisons, acids, radio activity residue...

I wouldnt worry too much about asbestos, the kind of health problems you encounter with it are generally after long term contact.
Tho there are other problems, poisons, acids, radio activity residue...

Long term or not.. you don't want to contract a nasty disease that will kill you in 5-30 years just for one trip. It's best to do some research as to whether the building you're about to enter is dangerous. Even if you are dedicated to enter you could at least wear a mouthcap or something like that.

I wouldnt worry too much about asbestos, the kind of health problems you encounter with it are generally after long term contact.
Tho there are other problems, poisons, acids, radio activity residue...

There is little research into exactly what level of exposure can cause long-term health problems. In theory, as little as a few hours of exposure could cause serious health problems. A P100 asbestos-rated respirator should always be worn if you think or know there could be asbestos (the rating system is set by OSHA, so it could be a different rating system outside of the US. Also, dust masks WILL NOT FILTER ASBESTOS!)

Squatters / crackheads pose a serious threat to others as most of the time they pass out with burning-hot crackpipes which cause massive fires.

I live in Worcester, MA where a similar incident happened back in '99. I happened to be driving home and saw the building on fire, a enormous blazing inferno that could be seen for miles around. I could feel the heat and saw burning embers at least a half-mile away while approaching it.

This particular fire was reportedly from a knocked over candle, ended up killing 6 Worcester Firefighters.

I wear a respirator with p100 filters and try to always wear gloves. Be aware of what touches your skin or clothing, especially your arms, butt, and knees from crouching or crawling through places. Remember this gets on the seats in your car and whatever else. Try to shower and put your clothes in the wash as soon as you get home. If possible, invest in cheap disposable painters coveralls to wear while exploring the dirtier locations.

Simple precautions now may cost about $20-30. Health bills from the long term effects due to negligence.... easily over $100k. Not worth it.

I haven't explored alone in a while, but it usually is the result of being the only one who wants to go in. There is at least someone in the car waiting for me to return. I'd never explore alone without anyone knowing where I was.

No, that is the worst 'precaution', imagine what the cops would think if you DID get caught. Your best defense is Common Sense and Knowledge, the most 'weapon' I would take is a pocket knife.
"Are there any animals or dangerous squatters/druggies/scrappers in the building?"

Regarding health dangers and physical injury ask/research the following:
"What did this building belong to? Like what was made or stored?"

For example if it was abandoned well before regulation in asbestos was implemented then its best to prepare/expect asbestos(Bring P100 filters ATLEAST). Samething with chemical plants, especially with places older than the 60s.

Radiation is probably a unlikely encounter unless your investigating something like Chernobyl. Even then its best to avoid it entirely unless you have a fucking RadSuit/Geiger Counter. (Hell that's probably not even a good idea...Cops: "OH THESE GUYS ARE CLEARLY MAKING DIRTY BOMBS WITH THEIR RAD SUITS..etc")

Look into city records to find out the building's structural status(E.g. "Will the floor give out?", "Bad walls, etc?")

Precautions to take:
-Wear long pants
-Wear long sleeved shirt, permitting temperature and other factors
-Wear gloves, even basic work gloves will help you ALOT.
-Wear Boots if possible (Personal Preference, however I find them to be very useful)
-Bring some sort of particulate respirator or dust mask
-Flashlight & batteries (Duh!)
-A walking stick or something to poke the floor (Its like mine-sweeping for loose flooring)

Hell there's alot more things I could go into, but that's just the bear necessities.